There will be a community program honoring Juneteenth on Wednesday, June 19, at the Middlesboro Central Arts Auditorium. This is the first ever Juneteenth program in the city and organizer Buffy Dunnaville is hoping it becomes an annual event.

The featured speaker for the program is Middlesboro High School graduate Dr. Roger Cleveland. Dr. Cleveland is a transformational leader and groundbreaking researcher in the fields of diversity, equity, multicultural education and academic innovation. He has dedicated his life to empowering businesses, public institutions and schools to embrace diversity and inclusion. His unique experience as a results-driven educator and revolutionary thought leader makes him a sought-after lecturer, teacher and academic consultant.

Dr. Cleveland has spent more than 22 years in K-12, and higher education. His teaching expertise has allowed him to educate students at: Morehead State University, The University of Kentucky, Middle Tennessee State University, and Eastern Kentucky University. Cleveland has published nearly two dozen equity, inclusion and education-related peer reviewed research articles. He has hosted hundreds of diversity and inclusion workshops and lectures nationwide. Additionally, Cleveland is a founding member, and Assistant Director, of the Black Males Working Academy; a program focused on college and career readiness through academics, social-emotional learning and student achievement.

The event starts at 11 a.m. with free books, vendors and arts & crafts available and the program beginning at 11:45 a.m.

Middlesboro’s Innovative Approaches to Literacy will be providing free books for children.

Middlesboro’s Gear Up Promise Zone will be doing arts & crafts. Vendors on hand will include Divine Designz, Latish’s Anything & Everything and Sydney J Permanent Jewelry.

Chicken or pulled pork dinners with Mac & cheese and baked beans will be sold for $12.

Everyone is welcome to attend.